Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Founder of Knights of Columbus

Lectionary: 414

The Lord GOD said to me:
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.

The LORD in today's first reading sounds like anyone's mother, and more than a few mamas who politely invited me to eat more! Mangia, mangia! 

Unfortunately for the prophet, God's word will not be welcome. He must announce "Lamentation and wailing and woe!" Despite the fact that the Word tasted wonderful -- "as sweet as honey in my mouth" -- when he ate it, it brought sadness to his listeners.

They were not accustomed to listening to the LORD or asking how the LORD might guide their attitudes, words, and actions. Like consumers the world over, they knew what they wanted and when they wanted it, and they assumed that what they wanted was good because they wanted it. Isn't that the very definition of good?

But, in fact, their wants and preferences were neither just nor reasonable, and the consequences of their decisions were foreseeable and ineluctable. If they displeased God it was because their consequences were so unpleasant when the LORD only wants good for his people. 

Before there was radar or GPS, ships' captains stationed a crewman at the top of a mast. From there, his horizon was wider than those of his mates on deck. He could see land, storms, or enemy vessels and friendly ones from his perch. Even a man walking his dog can see farther than his dog. The Lord who lives infinitely higher than anyone, whose vision is perfect, sees far beyond our horizons. Should we listen to him, we'll sail toward the good and steer clear of evil. We'll know even that the storms which overtake us do not last forever. 

Our faithful God teaches us a willing spirit, as opposed to willful. Without the sacrifice of prudence, experience, or common sense, the Holy Spirit of obedience maintains an openness to people, events, and developments. Learning something we don't know already often comes hard and always requires some kind of adjustment, which may be unpleasant. But it's better to know than not to know, to be prepared than to be caught unawares. 

Saint Joseph is one great exemplar of this. He listened to people, including the Magi who had recently visited Jerusalem. He didn't like what he heard and when an angel invaded his dream that evening he rose immediately, wakened his young wife, and together they rushed the child into Egypt. Where they stayed for twelve years, until Herod was dead. But even then, the Saint didn't like what he heard about his native Bethlehem and opted to live in Mary's hometown of Nazareth. 

He might have preferred to return to his own people but he tossed preferences aside as he did what was best for the Child and the Child's Mother. 

Our spiritual life begins as we hear the Lord speak. He opens us to his vision, concern, and sheer goodness. And it's sweeter than honey in our mouths.